Relying on ChatGPT for medical advice? You are asking for trouble

Dubai doctors share shocking cases of how Al-generated diagnosis can risk lives

- BY ASHWANI KUMAR

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being used by people seeking quick medical advice, but Dubai doctors warn that self-diagnosing through AI can do more harm than good. Several physicians have shared alarming cases where patients relied on Al-generated responses, leading to delayed or wrong treatments.

Double-edged sword

Dr Alok Chaubey, Medical Director and Specialist General Surgeon at Prime Medical Centre, Oasis Mall branch, said: “There’s a difference between gaining medical education and becoming a professional. It takes years of study, experience and clinical judgment to diagnose correctly. ChatGPT can be a good tool in the hands of medical professionals, but a sword in the wrong hands can cause serious harm.”

Dr Chaubey cited an example from his own experience, where a patient experiencing tingling, numbness, and leg pain was advised by ChatGPT to take gabapentin, which is a controlled drug.